Some time ago, the water quality treatment industry did a
good thing: it made the natural move to include commercial and industrial
(C&I) applications into its customer base. As dealers sought out ways to
grow their businesses, residential sales began to make way for businesses such
as hotels and factories. Which is not to say that the residential market is a
thing of the past--actually, it remains the top money-making aspect of the
business, according to WQP's most recent reader survey.

Dealers continue to actively seek out new customers, but
many may not know where to look. Unfortunately, there is no one specific
magical place that will have all of your new customers standing there waiting
for you to sell them your product. However, a little ingenuity and know-how
will have you turning over new stones and finding new prospects in places you
may not have thought about.

By popular demand, this issue is dedicated to those dealers
who already have made a huge success for themselves in the C&I marketplace,
to those dealers craving more C&I knowledge and to those who will use it as
a stepping stone to new markets.

To get this issue rolling, I asked WQP readers including
engineers, owners and managers to answer some questions regarding their
involvement in the C&I arena.* What I received was a great response that
dealers--92 percent of our readers who responded to the survey, to be
exact--already were involved in the commercial market and 73 percent were
utilizing the industrial side. Many of them have had their businesses involved
in C&I for more than 20 years. Applications that dealers reported selling
to ranged from car washes to cooling towers and restaurants to hospitals. Cold
calling and referrals were named as the best ways to acquire these new clients.
Also, growth opportunities were cited as the best reason for including C&I
clients in your business plan.

Some dealers have found this marketplace to be much
different from residential as far as the knowledge, skill base and experience
one would need to participate in such projects. Others have commented that they
just "simply are bigger systems." Educational efforts in the
industry have come a long way as well as the industry addressing such issues as
C&I standards. I think as with most things, experience is what will drive a
dealer in the right direction for his business. Page 8 begins the first of
several articles discussing options, concerns / issues and opportunities in the
C&I arena.

It seems as though a majority of dealers still are seeing most
of their profits coming from residential sales, but it would be smart for
business if dealers would find their C&I niches in their communities. The
best advice given right from our readers? Plan ahead, understand your
company's and your products' limitations, pay attention to details
and remain in constant contact with the customer.

Happy Prospecting!